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Community Partner News

Dear Community partners and friends,

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club is dedicated to supporting the community through civic,  social, and educational development.  We connect local women with one another through fun and philanthropy. Among the many ways we accomplish our mission is by providing affordable event space, and one of the few community gardens in Ocean Beach and the greater peninsula area.

This past February during the unprecedented windstorms whipping through our beachside community, our outdoor garden shed was irreplaceably damaged. We have spent the last 2 months demolishing the remnants of the shed and preparing the space to pour a concrete slab and construct a new storage shed. While the generosity of our volunteer community has been appreciated, it has become apparent that the final stages of this project are not feasible for our club from a labor or financial standpoint.

We are writing you today to humbly ask if your organization would be willing to contribute either financially or physically to the final stages of the shed construction.

We estimate that the financial cost to prep the space and pour the concrete slab will be approximately $4,000 and we would gladly accept donations of any amount. Once the concrete is set, we plan to have a shed “construction party” on April 22 where we would welcome any volunteers from your organization who would be willing to lend a hand. We can start after the OB Earth Day Clean Up ends at noon, or earlier if someone is available. We anticipate needing 5 or so people to help with the assembly of the shed we purchased.

If you would like to make a donation and/or commit to helping with the construction party on the 22nd, you can reply to this email to let us know you are able to attend. That's the last day we have available in order to get the unassembled shed out of our clubhouse in time for an April 29th rental. Alternatively, if you are able to help financially, you can donate directly on Venmo- https://account.venmo.com/OBWC2 Let us know you are sending that donation so we can get you a receipt for tax purposes.

We would also appreciate so much if you could share this request within your networks. We thank you in advance for your consideration and look forward to working together to make the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club Garden and event space better than ever (and hopefully storm-proof for the foreseeable future)!

Thank you,  
Faren Shear
President,  Ocean Beach Woman's Club

Dear OBMA Member,

For close to 40 years, the proud tradition of Fourth of July fireworks off of the Ocean Beach Fishing Pier drew tens of thousands of spectators every Independence Day. Because of structural issues with the pier, the fireworks celebration ended in 2018. 

A change was needed.

Many long-time community organizers have banded together to reimagine the Fourth of July with an innovative drone light show and festival of light. 

We have already contracted with an internationally known drone company, Skyworx, to bring a drone light show to the shores of Ocean Beach. In conjunction, we are planning a light festival on the beachfront as well as the Newport and Voltaire Avenue business districts. 

Your generous support will determine the size and scope of the light festival.

Please take a moment and find out how you can help make LUMINOSITY a success.

Sincerely,
Mike James
LUMINOSITY 
Founder and Co-chair 
[email protected]

Support Luminosity as a Local Business

OB Luminosity Website

Dear OBMA Member,

The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association’s Board of Directors has allocated seed funding for a Sidewalk Beautification Initiative. This initiative will begin in mid-April 2023 and continue for six months.

EcoClean services will be powering-washing and sanitizing either the north or south side of Newport Avenue weekly as part of the Sidewalk Beautification Initiative.

We’re thrilled to be able to provide this initiative with funds raised through events managed by the OBMA. With community and member support we hope to continue to allocate funding towards this initiative after the six-month seed funding timeline.

A few other projects and programs we’re working on:

• New trash cans on Newport Ave
• Maintaining the white bistro lights on Newport Ave
• Maintaining banners throughout downtown OB
• Maintaining & installing Doggie Poop Bag dispensers

If you have questions or would like more information about how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact the OBMA team at (619) 224-4906.

Visit FriendsofOB.org for a comprehensive overview of OBMA’s current projects, programs, and initiatives.

A message from SD News Group

Be sure your business is on the OB Map!

The Peninsula Beacon will publish the annual OB Community Map in May. Please see attached flyer for details.

Contact Mike Fahey
 

Main Street America is pleased to announce that the application period for the Backing Small Businesses grant program is now open.

In 2021, American Express and Main Street America created the Backing Small Businesses grant program* to help economically vulnerable U.S. small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. To date, the program has provided $1.65 million in grants to 330 small business owners across the country.

Now in its second year, the program will increase both grants awarded and total funding to further support small business owners in building their economic vitality and fostering a thriving community. On March 20, applications will open for 350 small business grants of $5,000 to eligible businesses in the U.S. and territories.

Learn More

You are invited to join us for an informational webinar on Wednesday, March 15 at 9 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. MT / 11 a.m. CT / 12 p.m. ET about the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program* presented by American Express. We'll break down application dos and don'ts, share grantee success stories, explain the best ways for you to get the word out to businesses in your community, and more.  The Backing Small Businesses grant program launches on Monday, March 20 and will remain open through Friday, April 7.

In 2021, American Express and Main Street America created this grant program to help economically vulnerable U.S. small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. To date, the program has provided $1.65 million in grants to 330 small business owners across the country.

Now in its second year, the program will increase the number of grants awarded and total funding to $2.3 million to further support small business owners in building their economic vitality and fostering a thriving community. On March 20, applications will open for 350 small business grants of $5,000 to eligible businesses in the U.S. and territories.

If awarded, businesses may also be eligible to be considered for an additional $25,000 Enhancement Grant! A limited subset of 25 grantees will be considered for the Enhancement Grant, which will allow those business owners the opportunity to further invest in the growth of their businesses. 

Learn More

Register Here

A portion of the ticket sales help support OBMA programs & projects, plus it's a really fun event and you receive free entry when you volunteer.

Signup Here to Volunteer

Single Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance goes into effect April 1, 2023. In summary: 

• Most polystyrene foam containers are prohibited from distribution and sale. This includes food service ware such as bowls, plates, trays, cups, lids, and other similar items, as well as egg cartons and meat trays.  
• Single use plastic (and bio-plastic) straws and utensils may only be provided upon the request of the customer.  
• The following may not be distributed if made from polystyrene foam unless encased within another material: 
  • Coolers, ice chests, or similar containers. 
  • Pool or beach toys. 
  • Dock floats, mooring buoys, or anchor or navigation markers. 
• All polystyrene foam products are prohibited from City facilities (including parks and beaches). 

NOTE: Waivers are available for feasibility-based hardships, financial hardships and contractual requirements. There is an automatic waiver through March 31, 2024 for entities with gross income less than $500,000 on most recent federal income tax filing. To apply for a waiver, please email [email protected]

Free Informational Sessions 

To learn more, you can attend one of the information sessions that will cover:  

• The importance and background of the ordinance. 
• How to prepare for implementation, including waiver options, alternatives to polystyrene and resources available. 
• Q&A session with City staff. 

In-person workshop  

Linda Vista Recreation Center (7064 Levant St., San Diego, CA 92111) 
Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m.  

Workshop Registration(link is external)

Zoom webinar  

Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m.  

Webinar Registration (link is external)

Note: Please indicate language preferences during registration at least three days in advance of the event. Language accommodation may not be guaranteed if requested within three days of the event. If you have special language needs and require additional assistance, please email [email protected] or call 858-694-7000. 

WHY? 

Polystyrene foam products are typically used one time before being discarded, and due to their light weight can easily become litter. Polystyrene foam litter breaks down into small pieces which do not biodegrade and often end up in streets, canyons, waterways, storm drains, and eventually the ocean, where it harms wildlife that mistakenly ingests it. 

Plastic straws are a significant contributor to marine pollution and are among the most common forms of litter collected on California beaches. They are not accepted in local recycling programs. 

The Single Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance will help San Diego reach its Zero Waste goals and help maintain clean and beautiful beaches and public spaces. The Ordinance will also meet the objectives of the City’s Climate Action Plan.  

Alternatives to Polystyrene Foam

Preferred

NOT Preferred

Ask your current supplier about alternatives to polystyrene foam. You may also check these other cities' lists of alternative products:

• City of San Jose(link is external)
• City of San Francisco

California Assembly Bills 1884 and 1276 also place some restrictions on providing utensils, straws and condiments.  Learn more here. 

Apply by March 22, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

Calling all San Diego and Imperial artists and cultural practitioners, the application is now open for the Far South/Border North grant opportunity.

Far South/Border North will support artists and cultural practitioners to develop artistic content that increases local awareness of public health, energy and water conservation, climate mitigation, civic engagement, and social justice within San Diego and Imperial counties!

Get started on your Far South/Border North grant application today.

Review Grant Guidelines

Round I: Individual Artists and Cultural Practitioners

Join an information session to learn more about the Far South/Border North grant program and get tips for a robust application!

Apply Here